Day 364 - Helped Send Angel Home

This is a heartbreaking story out of my home state of Ohio.  I saw this posted on a friend's Facebook page and had to help and share.

"4 year old Angel Hernandez died in a tragic car accident a few days ago on 12/26 in Central Ohio when his father accidentally ran over his tiny body after he fell from the family's minivan. We are comforted that Angel is walking with Jesus today, but his father is left devastated, while his mother's empty arms long to bring her child's earthly body home to her in Honduras. The cost to fly Angel's body home and hold a proper burial is far more than the family can bear. Unable to afford even a local burial, Angel's body is temporarily being held in an Ohio funeral home until we can raise the necessary funds to send him home."

Here is the GoFundMe page that was started to raise funds to send Angel home.  I can't even imagine how this family must feel and what they are going through.  If you are able to donate please do and help Angel get home to Honduras for a proper burial.  Heartbreaking.

Day 364 - Helped send angel home

Day 363 - Helped Bo and His Momma

A friend of mine and her family are wonderful about fostering and rescuing dogs.  I recently saw a post that they were trying to raise funds for medical care for a doggie and his mom in a kill shelter.

From their GoFundMe page:

"We recently lost our precious Bo (family doberman for 13+ yrs) last month, then after saying a little prayer on our holiday road trip we found a sweet doby and his mother in the kill shelter also named Bo; but he needs some vet care that is out of our financial ability. We believe we can raise the money needed and plan to pick them both up this Sunday to care and love him until death do us part! Can you help provide good care for Bo and his momma? We are so incredibly grateful and blessed to be able to provide a loving home for them."     

So for today's random act of kindness I supported their family's efforts and helped Bo and his momma Bessie!  Hope they are able to get them the medical care they need and both can live long and happy lives with such a wonderful family.  Keep it up Fishers!!  You guys rock!

Day 363 - Helped Bo and his momma

Day 362 - Small Acts Big Change

Small Acts Big Change’s mission is to teach, guide, motivate, and empower children of all ages to make changes in the world through small acts of kindness and volunteerism. They coordinate groups of children to participate in a variety of community service opportunities that positively impact people, animals, and the environment.

Through their participation in projects such as beach clean-ups and book drives, kids learn that even the smallest acts of kindness can make an immeasurable difference in the world around them. Small Acts Big Change helps everyone win. The children who are volunteering gain self-esteem and self-worth, confidence, leadership skills, and social awareness. People, animals, and the Earth are strengthened in countless ways as a result of their volunteering.

For today's random act of kindness I supported Small Acts Big Change by making a small donation.  Keep up the great work!!

Day 362 - Small acts big change

Day 361 - Supported a Rescue

While we were on vacation we boarded our guinea pig Brownie at the local guinea pig rescue.  The rescue is a family owned organization that takes in guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters and other animals that have been abandoned, forgotten or left to die.  They have some of the biggest hearts and take such great care of all those little guinea pigs.

So for today's random act of kindness we purchased a few toys for Brownie after we picked her up and left a small donation for the organization. 

Day 361 - Supported the guinea rescue

Day 360 - Supported a National Park

National parks need all the support they can get and they just love to see visitors and tourists.  Today on our way back to Texas from Florida we found a quant little town in Mississippi to visit.  As we entered Natchez, Mississippi the first thing we noticed was the National Park.  We decided to visit before heading to our hotel.  It was a great staff at the visitor center and they were very excited to talk to us about the park and a little history.  The girls had a blast and it was great to support a national park and it's employees after they were all closed down during the shut down.

Day 359 - $1 for Toys for Tots

Today my brother and sister and law offered to take the girls shopping for their Christmas gift.  They both had some money to save, spend and share and were very careful with their spending money.  Kailey decided on a small Build a Bear toy.  After choosing her bear, stuffing and naming her bear she went to check out.  After they rang in her toy they asked if she would like to donate $1 to Toys for Tots.  Without hesitation she said yes.  So for today's random act of kindness we supported Toys for Tots and all the amazing things they do for kiddos around the county.

Day 359 - Toys for Tots

Day 358 - Christmas Tip

Merry Christmas!  We are spending the Christmas holiday in Florida and it's so great that all my family was able to make it.  After the traditional gift opening, a Christmas meal and some lounging around the grandparents offered to watch the 3 grandkids so us parents could head out for dinner and a movie.  It was fun evening out and we were able to find one of a handful of restaurants open on Christmas day.  Our server was in great spirits and was super friendly!  As a special Christmas gift, and as our random act of kindness, we decided to tip him over 50% for our bill.  Hope he had a wonderful Christmas!!

Day 358 - Christmas tip

Day 357 - Became a RAKtivist

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation has introduced a wonderful term...RAKtivist!  According to their site RAKtivists "are the limbs of the organizational body. The daily doers, movers and shakers; reaching out to others and not just talking the talk, but using those limbs to walk the walk."

Throughout this year long journey one of my main desires was to inspire people to look for those daily opportunities to help or encourage others.  Becoming a RAKtivist will hopefully motivate me to stay active through 2014 and remain conscious of ways to give and help others.

Day 357 - Became a RAKtivist

Day 356 - Donation to Local Autism Organization

While on vacation we love to hit the local Goodwill.  Today we found some great finds at the Destin Goodwill.  While checking out they asked if we wanted to round up our total to the nearest dollar to support the local children's autism organization.  So for our random act today we said yes!  Hoping our small donation makes a difference.

Day 356 - Donated local autism organization

Day 355 - Treated for a Movie

I love getting together with the family and one of our favorite things to do together is go to the movies.  Our little niece LOVES dinosaurs so the new movie Walking with Dinosaurs was a easy choice for today.

For today's random act of kindness we treated the family to the movie.  It was a great movie and the kids loved the dinosaurs!!

Day 355 - Treated for a movie

Day 354 - Appreciated a Street Performer

We are spending the Christmas holiday in Florida and are road tripping.  Tonight we stopped in New Orleans for the night.  We took the girls out to dinner and then walked around a bit to experience the city.  The girls really enjoyed the street performers and loved watching them and giving them tips.  Their favorite was Silver Man.  So for today's random act of kindness we tipped street performs and had some great conversations!

Day 354 - Tipped street performers

Day 353 - Gave Parent a Break

Every few months through my child care I provide a Parents Night Out for the families at no cost.  I watch the children a few extra hours in the evening so parents can grab a meal together, maybe a movie or maybe just finish up any last minute Christmas shopping and wrapping. 

I love the kids so having them a few extra hours is never a big deal.  I'm just glad I can provide the families that little bit of quiet time together.

Day 353 - Parents Night Out

Day 352 - Gift for the Mail Carrier

The last few weeks have been very tough for our mail servers.  The ice storm in Dallas brought things to a halt and now they are trying to play catch up before the holidays.  I'm sure this is resulting in some upset customers because packages are arriving much later than expected.  So for today's random act of kindness we wanted to show some appreciation to our mail carrier and let them know that not all of us are angry at them these days.  We left them a small treat in the mailbox.  Keep up the good work!!

Day 352 - Gift for the mail carrier

Day 351 - Supported Community Theatre

Founded in 1991 by Sara Akers, Plano Children’s Theatre exists to help children ages 5 to 18 find out who they are. For more than 19 years, the theatre has been a place where kids could be the star and a place where they could gain an appreciation and love for live theatre.  In 2005, McKinney Youth Theatre was founded with the same philosophy.

While both theatres have a reputation for putting on high-quality productions, they are more proud of a reputation where absolutely everyone gets to play.  Everyone has a chance to get involved.
Both locations create opportunities for North Texas families to be a part of a performing arts club that fosters life-long learning, creativity, communication skills, personal discipline, integrity and good citizenship.

So for today's random act of kindness we supported the Plano Children's Theatre by attending Ryan's performance of Snow White.  The kids did great and it was so nice to support the theatre. 

Day 351 - Supported Community Theatre

Day 350 - Scratch Off Tickets for Strangers

Today everyone has been talking about the huge lottery numbers and the millions of dollars that someone could win.  When I went to grab gas today I purchased 5 $1 scratch off tickets.  I told the employee to pass them out to the next 5 guests.  He was very excited and thought it was a great gesture!  I would for some of them to win!

Day 350 - Scratch offs for strangers

Day 349 - Special Gift for a Restaurant Server

Today we had an amazing dinner at a local restaurant.  We had an awesome server!!  The restaurant we visited had it's own winery and gift store attached.  After dinner we decided to go next door and get him a gift card as a little treat to thank him for his awesome customer service.  So wish we could see his reaction!  Thanks Jason!

Day 349 - Special gift for a server

Day 348 - Remembered Sandy Hook

One year ago yesterday, tragedy struck Sandy Hook Elementary School and the residents of Newtown, Conn., resulting in an unimaginable loss. To mark the anniversary of the mass shooting, relatives of the Sandy Hook victims ask that people perform random acts of kindness throughout the day.

Whether it's a monetary donation, extending a helping hand to someone in need or even just a small smile, a little bit of generosity can make a world of difference.

So for today's random act of kindness to remember those lost I made a promise.  I committed to coming together in love to prevent gun violence in our communities and our country by signing the Sandy Hook Promise.

Day 348 - Remembered Sandy Hook

Day 347 - Volunteered with Operation Christmas Child

After a couple of years of participating in Samaritan Purse's Operation Christmas Child I decided to get a big more involved this year. For the first year ever Dallas/Fort Worth is one of 9 national processing centers for Operation Christmas Child.  There are many opportunities to help so myself and a few of my friend volunteered for a few hours this morning.  We were entrusted with inspecting each box to make sure that it was not only packed full of goodies and ready for a sweet child but also free of any items that may be dangerous or slow things down at customs. It was a wonderful experience getting to see how carefully people had packed their boxes and all the cute personal notes and pictures will not only be blessings to the little kids that receive them, but also to all of us that saw them. 

What an amazing organization Samaritan Purse is and seeing the excitement among all the volunteers was awesome!!


Day 347 - Volunteered with Operation Christmas Child

Day 346 - Tip for a Musician

Tonight we went as a family to see a wonderful live performance called the Christmas Journey.  It is a drive thru reenactment following Jesus' life from his birth to his death and resurrection.  After the event we decided to grab dinner in downtown and settled on Spoons, one of our favorite restaurants!  While we were there they had a wonderful life performer.  He played special songs just for the kids at the restaurant and was very interactive with the little ones.  As we were leaving we let the girls each have a dollar to drop in his tip jar as our random act. 

Day 346 - Tip for a musician

 

Day 345 - Stuffed Animals for Toys for Tots

A neighbor of ours goes all out for the Christmas holiday with their lights.  They are set to music and are amazing!  As a great random act they collect toys for Toys for Tots outside their house.  So for today's random act of kindness we went to Dollar Tree and cleaned out the stuffed animals and took them to our neighbors house to donate.  Such a great cause!

Day 345 - Stuffed Animals for Toys for Tots

Day 344 - Drive Thru Difference

Ryan had a performance tonight at the Plano Children's Theater.  After the show we went to grab some food.  Out of the blue Ryan said, "this would be a great random act!!  Can we pay for the care behind us?".  So how could we say no?! 

So for today's random act we paid it forward at the drive-thru.  We've done this act a few times over this 365 day journey but it's definitely one of the girls' favorites, and mine too!!

Day 344 - Drive Thru Difference

Day 343 - Bought Some Puzzles

I received an email today from the school that the 1st grade teachers were in need of a list of supplies for upcoming holiday crafts and their holiday party.  Some of the items on the list were Christmas stickers as well as 1000pc puzzles.  I ordered some stickers and sent them to the teacher and then headed to Dollar Tree for puzzles.  They had 500pc puzzles and for only $1!!  I had only signed up for 1000 pieces but ended up getting 3000 because they were so affordable.  Hope the puzzle pieces and stickers make the crafts extra special for the kids!! 

Day 343 - Puzzles and stickers for school

Day 342 - Shared a Prize

Imagine going to school and not being able to take a drink of water during the entire day. Throughout Laos, clean water is a vital component in encouraging children to stay in school and receive a basic education. liveGLOCAL is providing thousands of children with clean drinking water annually. Now you can help them do even more with a click or a donation.
Read more at http://greatergood.com/#TBVyOEbt30AGO7Q5.99

Imagine going to school and not being able to take a drink of water during the entire day. Throughout Laos, clean water is a vital component in encouraging children to stay in school and receive a basic education. liveGLOCAL is providing thousands of children with clean drinking water annually. Now you can help them do even more with a click or a donation.
Read more at http://greatergood.com/#yRvvMso17BhGzHzl.99

Imagine going to school and not being able to take a drink of water during the entire day. Throughout Laos, clean water is a vital component in encouraging children to stay in school and receive a basic education. liveGLOCAL is providing thousands of children with clean drinking water annually. Now you can help them do even more with a click or a donation.
Read more at http://greatergood.com/#TBVyOEbt30AGO7Q5.99

Imagine going to school and not being able to take a drink of water during the entire day. Throughout Laos, clean water is a vital component in encouraging children to stay in school and receive a basic education. liveGLOCAL is providing thousands of children with clean drinking water annually. Now you can help them do even more with a click or a donation.
Read more at http://greatergood.com/#TBVyOEbt30AGO7Q5.99

Imagine going to school and not being able to take a drink of water during the entire day. Throughout Laos, clean water is a vital component in encouraging children to stay in school and receive a basic education. liveGLOCAL is providing thousands of children with clean drinking water annually. Now you can help them do even more with a click or a donation.
Read more at http://greatergood.com/#TBVyOEbt30AGO7Q5.99

Imagine going to school and not being able to take a drink of water during the entire day. Throughout Laos, clean water is a vital component in encouraging children to stay in school and receive a basic education. liveGLOCAL is providing thousands of children with clean drinking water annually. Now you can help them do even more with a click or a donation.
Read more at http://greatergood.com/#TBVyOEbt30AGO7Q5.99

Chris' company is amazing!  They reward their employees with wonderful gifts.  Chris was recently awarded a 46 inch LED TV.  We are blessed to have been gifted all of our major electronics from his company.  Therefore when we won this TV we knew we wanted to pass along the gift to others.  I recently talked with a friend who was looking for new TV and we worked out a great compromise.  We sold them the TV for more than 50% off retail cost and then were able to give that money to our amazing, amazing housekeeper for Christmas!!  It was so great to be able to help my friend get a wonderful TV for a great deal and also reward our housekeeper for all her hard work throughout the year.  Win-win!!

Day 342 - Shared a prize with others

Day 341 - Paid Off Someone's Layaway

I've seen this random act on other blogs and couldn't wait for Christmas time to roll around so we could perform it.  Today I called a local department store and told them I wanted to pay off someone's layway balance as a random act.  I asked them to find someone that had items that appeared to be children's Christmas gifts as well as some adult items.  They found the perfect family and I paid off the balance.  I just can't wait for them to receive the call that their balance has been payed off.  So exciting and such a fun random act during the holidays.

Day 341 - Paid off someone's layaway

Day 340 - Supported a Non Profit by Christmas Shopping

Amazon Smile is a great service provided by Amazon that gives back to non-profits or your choice. 
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.  AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same Amazon Prime benefits.  What a great way to support your favorite charity!!

So for today's random act of kindness I finished up some Christmas shopping and supported one of my favorite non-profits at the same time!  I bought my girls these great little piggy banks that teaches them to save, spend and share any money they receive. 

Day 340 - Supported a Non Profit by shopping

Day 339 - Scraped Neighbor's Windshields

We had a powerful ice storm come through the North Texas area yesterday.  We ended up with almost 4 inches of ice on everything and temperatures with wind chills in the single digits.  With everything in the area pretty much shut down and the roads un-drivable the cabin fever can definitely set in.  To break up the monotony we took the girls out today to sled and get a little fresh, cold air.  Before leaving we noticed that our neighbor was trying to scrape her windshield with a butter knife.  We headed back inside to grab our heavy duty ice scraper.

For today's random act of kindness we scraped our neighbor's car and then 3 more neighbors we came across during our walk outside.  Stay warm Texas friends!!

Day 339 - Scraped windshields

Day 338 - Sent Coats to Children in Need

One of our local family service organizations, Frisco Family Service, is collecting coats this winter for children in need.  They are really, really short on children's coats this year and are desperate for donations.  I notice that Old Navy was having a good sale on winter coats so decided to go shopping.

For today's random act of kindness I dropped off a few coats to Frisco Family Services.  Hope these help kids in need this winter!!

Day 338 - Coats for kids

Day 337 - Bought a Bracelet and Provided Food

The Hunger Site provides food for those in need through each purchase made on their site.  Today I purchased a great handmade bracelet and provided 25 cups of food to those in need.

A better world starts with you -- are you up to the challenge? Made from recycled leather scraps by artisans in Colombia, each bracelet is stamped with "Be the change you wish to see."

Day 337 - Bought a bracelet, provided food

Day 336 - Shared an UNselfie

Today is #GivingTuesday.  What is #GivingTuesday?

#GivingTuesday is a simple idea, started by the 92^nd Street Y in New York and their partner the United Nations Foundation, to celebrate and encourage giving. In this time when we all spend so much time and money buying gifts for the holidays, #GivingTuesday is a good reminder that we should also give some time and money to those non-profits who are doing so much good in the world.

This year—the year that  “selfie” was named word of the year—we are all encouraged to take and post an “UNselfie” to our social media channels. It’s simple, just…

1)      Take a piece of paper and write the name of a charity you support with your time or money.

2)      Take your picture holding up the piece of paper in front of you.

3)      Upload the photo to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media channels and remember to include the hashtags #GivingTuesday and #UNselfie

Sharing your charitable efforts this one time of year isn’t intended to glorify your virtue, but rather to inspire others to give, and to educate your friends and family about the organization you choose to support.

So for today's random act of kindness I supported #GivingTuesday and our non-profit by taking and posting an UNselfie.

Day 336 - Shared an UNselfie

Day 335 - Helped a Family with Christmas

I received a message from another mom at school today about a single mother with 2 children in my daughter's class going through a very rough season of life.  A group of moms are pulling together to be able to provide this mom and her kids with a great Christmas this year.

For today's random act of kindness I jumped on board to contribute and help make this a memorable Christmas for one very special family.

Day 335 - Helped with Christmas

Day 334 - Christmas Cards for the Troops

The girls' classes are getting into the holiday spirit today by decorating Christmas cards to be sent to the troops.  Each of their teachers sent out requests for boxes of cards to be sent in for the children to use.

For today's random act of kindness I purchased 4 boxes of Christmas cards to be split between their 2 classes.  Hope the children enjoy making the cards because I know the troops will appreciate them!

Day 334 - Christmas cards for the troops

Day 333 - Shopped Small

Today is Small Business Saturday and folks are encouraged to support their local communities by shopping locally.  With so much commercialization around Christmas and Black Friday and Cyber Monday the goal of Shopping Small is to bring back the spirit of Christmas by shopping with real thought behind it at small local shops.

So for today's random act of kindness the girls and I headed to downtown McKinney and visited many of the local shops and started our Christmas shopping!!

Stay local when you can!!

Day 333 - Shopped small

Day 332 - Train Tickets for Strangers

Today was A McKinney Christmas in the downtown square of McKinney.  We love to go to this event each year and always look forward to riding on Frosty's train around the square.  It was our first stop and we ended up buying 4 tickets.  As the line was approaching Ryan ended up not being able to ride.  She and Chris instead decided to find a balloon artist.  So on their way out of line they gave both of their tickets to another family in line.  They were extremely appreciative and I hope they enjoyed their train ride!

Day 332 - Tickets for the train

 

Day 331 - Pledged Not to Shop

Happy Thanksgiving!  There has been quite a bit of controversy about retail stores and other businesses opening this year for Thanksgiving.  To support my belief that family should come before shopping, today I pledged not to shop.  I do believe that shoppers play a big role in the demand/supply of these retailers so if more people choose to say home on Thanksgiving retailers would be forced to stay closed.  Enjoy your family today and have a wonderful holiday!!

Day 331 - Pledged not to shop

Day 330 - Tipped 100% for Thanksgiving

Today I was off work so I decided to take the girls out to brunch.  We went to one of our favorite spots in Downtown McKinney, Spoons!  They were pretty busy and I know they will be even more busy Friday and Saturday with the holiday.

So for today's random act of kindness I tipped our awesome server 100% as a little Thanksgiving surprise.  Hope she has a wonderful holiday!!


Day 330 - Tipped 100%

Day 329 - Gift Cards at the Drug Store

Today we thought it would be fun to start spreading some early holiday cheer.  We went to a local CVS bought a couple of $5 gift certificates and passed them out to some unsuspecting customers.  They were all a little surprised and very appreciative once they realized we were serious.  Hope they all have a wonderful holiday!

Day 329 - Gift cards at the drug store

Day 328 - Soft Toys for UNICEF and Save the Children

Every year, the IKEA Foundation donates a portion of every soft toy sold in participating IKEA stores in November and December. The donation goes to Save the Children and UNICEF, and is spent on children’s educational projects.

Ikea Soft Toys for Education has impacted 10 million children in 46 countries for 90 projects. 
So for today's random act of kindness I purchased a few of their soft toys for the girls as Christmas gifts to support Save the Children and UNICEF.  They will continue to donate through November and December so get your adorable soft toy today.

Day 328 - Soft toys for UNICEF and Save the Children

Day 327 - Grocery Bags for Families in Need

Our church is all about community compassion and I love that about them.  One of their largest compassion events is a Community Christmas Party.  They invite under-resourced families to the event, serve them an amazing meal, present an amazing message, play wonderful worship music and all leave with gifts for the kids and a meal back packed full of food for Christmas dinner.

The weeks leading up to the event the church asks those who attend to pick up an empty grocery bag with a list of foods attached, hit the store, pack the bag and then return it to church before the event.

So for today's random act of kindness the girls and I grabbed 2 grocery bags to fill and stuff for the Christmas party.  Hope these bless each family that receives one!

Day 327 - Grocery bags for families

Day 326 - Extra Trip for Shoe Boxes

So last week we made our trip to the Operation Christmas Child drop off location to deliver our 30 shoe boxes.  After we dropped them off a friend of mine mentioned that there were a few extra boxes at our church that no one was able to drop off.  I offered to drop them off for them.

So for today's random act of kindness I picked up a few extra shoeboxes and took them to the local drop off location.  Love Samaritan Purse and their Operation Christmas Child program so I'll take all the shoe boxes people need me to.

Day 326 - Dropped off shoe boxes

Day 325 - Shared A Discount Card

Today when grabbing a few things at our local Walgreens I noticed the patron in front of buying just a jug of milk.  The employee asked if he had a card because it would reduce the cost by quite a bit.  He said he didn't so I decided to offer mine.

So for today's random act of kindness I swiped my discount card so another patron could save $2 of his gallon of milk.  He was very appreciative. 

Day 325 - Shared a discount card